North Sea Crude-Forties steady, lower output delays some cargoes

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - * North Sea Forties held broadly unchanged on Thursday at parity with dated Brent as lower-than-expected production tightened supplies, lending support.

* A number of September-loading Forties cargoes have had their loading dates delayed, and two cargoes have been dropped from the programme. Forties cargoes F0910 and F0912 will now load in the last 10 days of September, a trade source said.

"Lower production," the source said of the reason for the deferrals. "Certain fields are coming back late from maintenance."

* Nonetheless, supply remains ample as there are at least two VLCCs of Forties parked off the UK coast, according to Reuters shipping data.

WINDOW SUMMARY

* Forties: Unipec sold to Petroienos a Forties loading on Sept. 11-17 at dated Brent minus 10 cents, down 10 cents from a deal on Wednesday. Shell (LSE: RDSB.L - news) bid for a Sept. 6-8 cargo at dated plus 5 cents, leaving the differential steady overall.

* Ekofisk: Vitol offered an Ekofisk loading Sept. 13-15 at dated Brent plus 35 cents, in line with Wednesday's lowest offer.

* Oseberg: Statoil (LSE: 0M2Z.L - news) offered a cargo for loading Sept. 20-22 at $1.00 above dated Brent, up 5 cents from Wednesday. (Reporting by Alex Lawler; editing by Susan Thomas)